Recent Pictures

Mom had a good day on Monday. When she woke up, she was wide-eyed and responsive. She didn't remember having a fever, but she doesn't remember things very long these days.

Nurse Catherine visited at 9:00 a.m. with nurse-in-training Colleen. Mom's blood pressure was high, but the rest of her vitals were normal.
It seems to be a recurring theme that Mom improves on the days I head back to Grand Rapids. Bummer for me, but I'd rather leave her feeling better than the other way around. And of course, there really is no theme. Yesterday, Mom was quiet again and had a slight temperature. Every day has a story of its own.


I'm taking this opportunity to send you a few recent pictures.


Mom and Aunt Dorothy on 6/7.



Tina, Devon and friend Sheila on 6/7. Mom had lots of visitors during Haley's open house.


Aunt Dorothy's and Uncle Howard's visit on 6/9, when Mom was feeling better.

On 6/13, Mom models Jodi's newly finished baby blanket project.

Just before I left on Monday, 6/23. Mom had been smiling all morning, but was feeling well enough be stubborn for the camera.

Better

Late last night Mom's fever came down below 100 degrees and she was able to talk and laugh with Suzy and me. She is still sleeping as I write this on Monday morning, but I'm hopeful that she has seen the worst of this infection and is recovering. Thanks for your prayers.

Temperature and Treatment

Mom has had her ups and downs over the last couple of weeks. Ups and downs in temperature, coumadin and potassium levels, mood, ability to communicate - every day or two brings new decline or improvement.


When I returned to Suzy's the weekend of the 6th, Mom was very quiet, incoherent when she spoke, lethargic. I've grown accustomed to seeing marked improvement in her behavior and alertness after a course of antibiotics. The improvement came the morning of the 9th. She was alert, communicative - still quiet, but verbally and facially animated - and in a good mood. She was doing so much better we hoped she might be able to make it to Cody's graduation open house in T.C. But as the week progressed, she began to regress again. The yo-yo effect has continued. She was improved on the 16th, then began to ebb again through the week.

Friday the 20th was a good day. Suzy took the little ones out for their birthday lunch at La Seniorita in Gaylord, and Tina came to spend the afternoon with Mom and me. Mom slept a lot, but when she was awake she was talkative and fun. The antibiotics we started on Thursday night seemed to be doing their work.

Saturday morning, Mom was quiet, inarticulate and had a low grade temp. By the afternoon, she was hovering around 100 degrees. We began giving her childrens tylenol in oral suspension to try to bring the fever down. It seemed to help, but today her fever climbed slowly to 101.6. Suzy called Dr. Karkosak, and he told us to give her 1000 mg of tylenol, then motrin in the evening. The last we checked her temperature it was back around 100 degrees.

Right now, Mom is sleeping well and is comfortable. Suzy asked her if she was in any pain, and she mouthed an emphatic "no." So, we're keeping her as cool as possible, door open and fan running. It's a beautiful day here in Boyne City for keeping the door open. It's warm and sunny with a lovely breeze. I propped Mom's head up to her left so when she opens her eyes she can see how beautiful it is outside.

There will come a time when antibiotics and tylenol will not help Mom anymore. We're hoping that time is not soon, but we believe Mom's life has always been in the Lord's hands and that nothing will take her from us out of his will. Please pray with us that Mom's time continues to be peaceful, comfortable and joyful.

Under the Weather

We have been enjoying rain, rain and more rain here in Boyne City, Michigan. Everything is wet, including the clothes on the line.

For the last few days, Mom has been very sleepy and has communicated with difficulty. Nurse Catherine took her vitals on Friday; her blood pressure was 110/68, her lungs sounded clear, her pulse rate was good. She did have a slight temperature; her temperature and her change in behavior was consistent with her history of infection. Catherine took blood samples to the lab and we waited for results. Although it was a Friday and the impending inaccessiblity to services loomed over us, Dr. Karkosak was able to write an order to resume the sodium chloride hydration and Catherine hooked her back up early Friday evening.

Saturday, the rain let up for Haley's graduation open house. Mom had lots of visitors, including Dr. Karkosak. He told us to resume the antibiotics orally since she was still able to swallow her crushed pills (we them with fruity yogurt and a little bit of sugar). By Sunday morning we could tell the antibiotic was working. She was still very sleepy and slow to respond verbally, but she was much more present.

Sunday afternoon, Jon and Linda Darrow drove from Alma to visit Mom. We caught up on the news from our families, and Mom listened whenever she was awake. Olivia introduced them to Wii bowling before they returned home. As they left, it occured to me that I hadn't taken any pictures of their visit! We just had too nice a time.

Mom ate a few bites of baked beans in the evening, the first food other than yogurt since Friday. This morning I woke up at 6:45 a.m., and she woke up too. She replied to me when I wished her good morning, and when I asked if she was thirsty. I got her a glass of water, and she was able to suck it through the straw - another improvement. We've given her water by spoon and ice chips since Friday.

Nurse Catherine will be back today at 9:00 a.m. to check her out. In the early afternoon, Uncle Howard and Aunt Dorothy, her brother and sister, are driving from Traverse City to see her.

I have a few pictures from Saturday that I'll post when I get back to Grand Rapids. Thanks for checking in.

In My Dreams

When we last left our heroine she was seen reclined in 250+ thread count comfort watching musicals and entertaining us with her vocabulary. She's still there. Bill, Pattie, Jessy and Tyler came for a visit on Sunday. We mostly hung out in the room and talked while Mom drifted in and out of her nap.

Vital Care Nurse Catherine visited on Monday to draw blood and check the IV. Mom finished her course of cipro on Saturday night, and since she was well hydrated Cathering removed the IV tubing from her port - on Dr. Karkosak's orders. This will give her body a couple of days to get rid of the excess fluid, a problem we are happy to have after the shananagans of Memorial Day weekend. When she needs fluids again, we'll be ready.

All Mom's vital signs are good - pulse, blood pressure, temp - and her lungs sound clear. Her ankles and knees are swollen from fluid. This may be due in part to the hospitalist's orders to give her 100 ml p/hour prior to her discharge. Dr. Galloway asked him to reduce it to 10 ml, but he did not. Dr. Karkosak dropped it back when Mom arrived home. Who knew too much sodium chloride could be a bad thing? We went from famine to feast in no time flat. Suzy is continuing with the 250 mg magnesium morning and night, with Dr. Karkosak's consent.

Mom's been sleeping a lot this week and talking less. The kids make regular visits to Grandma to draw her out. Sometime soon I'll post a list of her famous sayings of recent past. But I can share my personal favorite with you. Every night at bed time Mom and I have a routine. I say, "I love you so much." She says, "I love you too, Patty." I say, "I'll see in my dreams." She usually says, "I'll see you in mine," but this particular night she replied, "Well, let's not get maudlin here."

Now, that's my mother.

Care at Home

Mom came home by ambulance on Wednesday. Tina, Tami and Devon came to visit, just as the paramedics were dropping Mom off. A Vital Care nurse walked Suzy through the steps for administering Mom's IV fluids. Suzy has become very proficient at switching between the bags of cipro and saline. She commented last night about all the fuss that was raised about sending Mom home with IV fluids and needing a physician's oversight. It's gone very smoothly.

Mom has gained a little more presence and a little more conversation every day. She has blessed the kids with more Rose-isms. Last Thursday, Jodi was helping her get dressed and told her "Good job," when they were finished. Mom replied, "I hate it when people say, 'Good job.'" Jodi asked, "Okay, what would you like them to say?" Mom said, "I would like them to say, 'You have soft, silky skin.'"

And you know what? She does.

Mom finished her IV antibiotics last night and her saline early this morning. Her appetite has improved. She retained water while she was at the hospital. On Thursday, Mom's ankles, knees and hands were swollen. Suzy has been giving her magnesium and vitamin B complex to help her body get rid of the excess fluid. It's working well. She has some pain in her joints, particularly her knees and her right thumb, only when she moves them.

The kitties are very happy to have Mom home. Teddy and Babbette have taken turns keeping Mom company. Sometimes Teddy gets a little carried away and tries to lay on her chest, but most of the time he restrains himself. Mom loves it.

Yesterday I told Mom that granddaughter Karalyn contacted me online to find out how she was doing. Mom said, "Karalyn? Oh, that's wonderful!"

Mom is happy to be home in her own bed. We're happy and relieved to have her here. As usual, she is doing better at home, and we're determined to do everything we can, in her best interests, to keep her here.